Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes steps of: 1) providing a refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and at least one fan operable to move air towards the evaporator, a generator dedicated to the refrigeration unit, and a battery; 2) determining at least one environmental parameter in one or both of the mobile unit and the refrigeration unit; and 3) selectively operating the refrigeration unit in one of a plurality of modes based on the environmental parameter. The plurality of modes includes a first mode wherein at least the fan is powered by the battery, and a second mode wherein the compressor and the fan are powered by the generator.

Abstract: A method and system to provide at least one product record for a product to a user includes at least one cold chain information source to provide at least one product information entry for the product, a data warehouse, including a processor to receive and analyze the at least one product information entry from the at least one cold chain information source, and to assemble the at least one product record from the at least one product information entry, wherein the at least one product record includes a product fingerprint with a traceability entry, and a product database to store the at least one product record, and at least one user system to provide the user access to the at least one product record.

Abstract: A refrigerated transport system comprises a body enclosing a refrigerated compartment. A refrigeration system (29) comprises first and second vapor compression loops each having: a refrigerant charge; a compressor (36A,B) for driving the refrigerant of the refrigerant charge; a first heat exchanger (38A,B) positioned to reject heat to an external environment in a cooling mode; and a second heat exchanger (42A,B) positioned to absorb heat from the refrigerated compartment in the cooling mode.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit that may be applied to a tractor trailer system includes a compressor constructed and arranged to compress a natural refrigerant, a condenser heat exchanger operatively coupled to the compressor, and an evaporator heat exchanger operatively coupled to the compressor. A power supply of the unit is electrically coupled to an electric compressor motor that drives the compressor, an electric condenser fan motor that drives a condenser fan and an electric evaporator fan motor that drives an evaporator fan.

Abstract: A refrigerated transport system (20) comprises a body (22) enclosing a refrigerated compartment (69). A refrigeration system (30) comprises: a vapor compression loop (31) having a first heat exchanger (38) positioned to reject heat to an external environment in a cooling mode. A heat transfer loop (32) has a second heat exchanger (58) positioned to absorb heat from the refrigerated compartment in the cooling mode. An inter-loop heat exchanger (44) has a first leg (42) along the vapor compression loop and a second leg (43) along the heat transfer loop in heat exchange relation with the first leg.

Abstract: A refrigerated transport system (20) comprises: a body (22) enclosing a refrigerated compartment. A refrigeration system (30) comprises: a charge of refrigerant; a compressor (36) for driving the refrigerant along a refrigerant flowpath (34); a first heat exchanger (38) along the refrigerant flowpath and positioned to reject heat to an external environment in a cooling mode; and a second heat exchanger (42) along the refrigerant flowpath and positioned to absorb heat from the refrigerated compartment in the cooling mode. The refrigerated transport system has a detector (232) for detecting leakage of the refrigerant.

Abstract: An autonomous cooling unit 310 for a vehicle is provided. The cooling unit includes a housing 316 containing a compressor, a condenser 314, and an evaporator 312, the evaporator configured to cool ambient air. A power module 318 is located within the housing and configured to supply electrical power to each of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. A mounting system 322 is configured to removably mount the housing on a vehicle.

Abstract: A cooling unit (506) for a vehicle (200) is provided. The cooling unit includes a compressor (428) electrically connected to a power module (314), a condenser (530) operably connected to the compressor, an evaporator (536) operably connected to the compressor and the condenser, the evaporator configured to cool ambient air (520), and at least one flexible duct (208) configured to fluidly connect the evaporator with a cargo held in a cargo space of the vehicle.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system having one or more compressors forming part of a refrigeration circuit for cooling an interior compartment of a container or refrigerated trailer; and one or more fans powered by direct current (DC) power, the one or more fans being at least one of an evaporator fan, a condenser fan and a ventilation fan.

Abstract: A system (20) is operable in a plurality of modes. The system has: a container (22) having an interior (24); an internal combustion engine (66); a refrigeration system (30) and a flywheel energy storage device (70). In at least one mode, the refrigeration system coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power and thermally coupled to the container to cool the container interior. In at least one mode, the energy storage device coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power from the internal combustion engine. In at least one mode, the energy storage device coupled to deliver power to the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a transport refrigeration unit configured to cool a transport container. Also included is a tubular container having a fire suppressant stored therein, the tubular container disposed within the transport refrigeration unit. Further included is a predetermined fracture location of the tubular container, wherein the predetermined fracture location is configured to rupture upon reaching a critical temperature to expel the fire suppressant.

Abstract: In one aspect, a refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration circuit configured to condition an air supply, a subcooling circuit configured to cool the refrigeration circuit, the subcooling circuit including a subcooling condenser, a subcooling heat exchanger, and at least one adsorption bed, and a heat generation system thermally coupled to the subcooling circuit.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for a refrigerated cargo container includes two or more refrigeration circuits, each circuit configured to cool a compartment of the refrigerated cargo container. Each circuit includes a compressor (38) to compress a gaseous flow of refrigerant, a gas cooler (40) in fluid communication with the compressor to cool the compressed flow of refrigerant, and an evaporator (46) located at the compartment and in fluid communication with the gas cooler and the compressor. An electrical generator (34) is operably connected to the compressor of each circuit to drive the compressors and a control system operably connected to the electrical generator and the two or more circuits. The control system is configured to calculate a maximum electrical power generated by the generator, calculate a target electrical load of the components of each circuit, and distribute the available electrical power from the generator to meet the target electrical load of each circuit.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes steps of: 1) providing a refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and at least one fan operable to move air towards the evaporator, a generator dedicated to the refrigeration unit, and a battery; 2) determining at least one environmental parameter in one or both of the mobile unit and the refrigeration unit; and 3) selectively operating the refrigeration unit in one of a plurality of modes based on the environmental parameter. The plurality of modes includes a first mode wherein at least the fan is powered by the battery, and a second mode wherein the compressor and the fan are powered by the generator.

Abstract: A vehicle having a wireless power system is provided. The vehicle includes a tractor and a trailer mounted to the tractor, the tractor having a tractor frame and the trailer having a refrigeration unit. A first inductive charging pad is mounted on the trailer, the first inductive charging pad electrically connected to a portion of the refrigeration unit. A second inductive charging pad is mounted on the tractor, the second inductive charging pad electrically connected to a portion of the tractor and configured to induce an electrical current in the first inductive charging pad. The first inductive charging pad and the second inductive charging pad are configured such that the second charging pad can induce and maintain the electric current in the first inductive charging pad throughout a range of relative rotation.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes steps of: 1) providing a refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and at least one fan operable to move air towards the evaporator, a generator dedicated to the refrigeration unit, and a battery; 2) determining at least one environmental parameter in one or both of the mobile unit and the refrigeration unit; and 3) selectively operating the refrigeration unit in one of a plurality of modes based on the environmental parameter. The plurality of modes includes a first mode wherein at least the fan is powered by the battery, and a second mode wherein the compressor and the fan are powered by the generator.

Abstract: A power supply system for a transport refrigeration system includes an engine coupled to a compressor of a refrigeration unit for direct drive powering the compressor and a generator arranged to also be direct driven by the engine for generating electric power. The generator and the compressor are mounted to a common drive shaft driven by the engine, and the generator may be integrated with the compressor. The power supply system may further include an alternator arranged to be belt driven by the engine for generating DC electric power. A battery pack may be provided for storing and supplying additional DC power. During peak load demand on the refrigeration unit, the engine may be operated with the generator switched off to directly drive the compressor and direct current may be drawn from the battery pack to drive the condenser/gas cooler and evaporator fans.

Abstract: A system (20) operable in a plurality of modes, the system comprising: a container (22) having an interior (24); an internal combustion engine (66); a refrigeration system (30) and a flywheel energy storage device (70). In at least one said mode, the refrigeration system coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power and thermally coupled to the container to cool the container interior. In at least one said mode, the energy storage device coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power from the internal combustion engine. In at least one said mode, the energy storage device coupled to deliver power to the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage assembly includes a first pipe configured to have a heat transfer fluid flow through a bore of the first pipe and a second pipe surrounding the first pipe. A phase change material fills the space between the first pipe and the second pipe, the phase change material storing cold thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A mobile refrigeration unit includes a refrigeration system having a plurality of electric motor driven components and an on-board power supply system for generating electric current and supplying the electric current to the plurality of electric motor driven components. The power supply system includes a first generator for generating a first portion of electric power, a second generator for generating a first portion of electric power, a fuel fired engine driving the first generator, and an organic Rankine cycle system driving the second generator. An engine exhaust line connects the fuel-fired engine in exhaust gas flow communication with the organic Rankine system. The unit may also include a storage battery and a power management system.